A GUIDE TO THE

COMPLAINTS PROCESS

OF BCCC

Indian Broadcasting Foundation

B-304, 3 Floor, Ansal Plaza, Khelgaon Marg, New Delhi 110 049 (INDIA)
43794488 Fax # 91-11-43794455
91
Tel. # 91-11-43794444
Email: ibf@ibfindia.com Website: www.ibfindia.com
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What is the Broadcasting Content Complaints Council (BCCC)?

The BCCC is an independent Council set up by the Indian Broadcasting Foundation. The
Council comprises of a thirteen member body consisting of a Chairperson being a retired
Judge of the Supreme Court or High Court and 12 other members. The composition of
other members shall be as under:

Four non-broadcaster members

Four members from any national level Statutory Commissions

Four broadcaster members

BCCC would examine complaints about television programmes received from the
viewers or any other sources, including NGOs, RWAs, Ministry of Information &
Broadcasting etc. and ensures that the programmes are in conformity with the Self
Regulatory Content Guidelines.

Who can make a complaint?

Any person or a group of persons, may, either individually or jointly, file a complaint
against any programme broadcast on any of the IBF member TV Channels.

What can I complain about?

You may complain of any breach of the Self Regulatory Content Guidelines for Non
News & Current Affairs TV Channels including the following Principles of Self
Regulations:

National Interest

Racial & Religious Harmony

Children & Generally Accessible Programmes

Social Values

Kissing, Sex & Nudity

Violence & Crime

Gambling

Horror & the Occult

Drugs, Smoking, Tobacco, Solvents & Alcohol

Libel, Slander & Defamation

Harm & Offence

How to make a complaint?

A complaint must be made to the Standard and Practices (S&P) Department of the
concerned TV Channel in clear handwriting or typed either in English or in Hindi along
with all relevant particulars including the name of the Television Channel, the date and
time of telecast of the offending content, the title of the programme, details about the
alleged offence, etc. and also give reasons, as to why he/she feels that the particular
programme was not in compliance with the Content Guidelines.
To assist

complainants, a 'Complaint Form' is available on the website

http://www.ibfindia.com or it can be obtained from the IBF office.

Is there a time limit to file a complaint to the TV Channel?

A complaint should be made as soon as possible and not later than a week of the
telecast of the offending programme to the Head, Standard & Practices (S&P)
Department of the concerned Broadcaster/Television Channel.

Is there a time limit to receive a response from the TV Channel?

If the Head of the S&P Department considers that there has been a violation of the
Content Guidelines, she/he shall reply to the complainant within one week of the

channel's receipt of the complaint. An acknowledgment to the complaint shall also be

sent to the complainant within two days by the S & P Department after the receipt of
the complaint.

Is there any time limit to file a complaint before the BCCC ?

The complaint can be filed before the BCCC against any offending programme broadcast
on any of the IBF member TV Channels within 14 (fourteen) days from the date of the
first broadcast.

Can I file a complaint directly before the BCCC?

A complainant can file a complaint directly before the BCCC within 14 (fourteen) days
from the date of the first broadcast of the offending programme.

In which language can the complaint be made?

The complaint can be made in English or Hindi. If the supporting documents, if any, are
in any other language, the same should be translated in English or in Hindi.
Does the mechanism cover films, movie videos etc?
The complaint redressal mechanism would not cover films, movie videos, film trailers or
any other production which can be telecast by a TV channel only after obtaining a
certificate from Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC).

Does the mechanism cover advertisements being broadcast on the TV channels?

The mechanism does not cover advertisements. All advertisement related complaints
should be addressed to The Advertising Standards Council of India.

What will happen to your complaint placed before BCCC?

Upon receipt of complaints, the same will be put up for orders of Chairperson within
three working days from the receipt of complaint(s). If the complaint, prima facie,
appears vexatious, frivolous or motivated or appears baseless, the Chairperson shall
initiate no action but will direct BCCC Secretariat to put up the same at the next meeting
of BCCC to decide whether the complaint should be processed or not.
If the complaint is substantiated, the respective channel will be asked to provide their
views on the offending content within one working week of receipt of letter from BCCC.
On the request from BCCC, the Electronic Monitoring Media Center (EMMC), Ministry of
I & B shall provide the tape/CD on the offending content within two working days.
If BCCC is not satisfied with the response of the concerned Channel and consider that
the channel has violated the Guidelines, BCCC shall direct the concerned Channel to
modify or withdraw such content as desirable within a week on receipt of direction from
BCCC.
In the event of a channel found to have been/being telecasted any objectionable
unauthorized content, messages, or communication inconsistently with public interest
or national security or its continued telecast may create a serious law and order
problem or incite violence, BCCC may, upon due consideration, pass an interim order
directing immediate withholding of the offending telecast by the Channel and direct the
Channel to send its justification within twenty four hours to enable issue of final order
by the BCCC in the matter. If the Channel defies the order of the BCCC, the matter may
be referred to I & B Ministry within 24 hours.
Once the BCCC has made a decision on the complaint, both the complainant and the
party complained against will be informed of the BCCC decision and the same will also
be put on the website.

What is the timeline for disposal of a complaint by BCCC?

The BCCC shall pass final orders within three weeks of the receipt of complaint. In case
the BCCC is not able to dispose off a complaint within the stipulated period, the
Chairman, BCCC would intimate I & B Ministry giving justification for non-disposal.
Thereafter, the Ministry may take a view in the matter.

How is a complaint decided by the BCCC?

All decisions of the BCCC shall be by simple majority of the Members present and shall
be in writing and may specify the action to be taken by the concerned Television
Channel in respect of the television programmes complained against.

What happen if the directions of the BCCC are not followed by the TV Channels?
In case of non-adherence of the directions of BCCC by the TV Channel, it may initiate any
one or a combination of the following actions:

Issue a warning to implement the direction within next forty-eight hours.

Air an apology in such manner as may be decided.

Issue a Directive to the IBF not to consider the outstandings of that Channel for
processing till the matter is resolved.

Issue a Directive to the

IBF to take necessary action to expel the concerned

member.

In exceptional cases of a Television Channel not carrying out the directions of the
BCCC, the BCCC may recommend to the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting
for appropriate action against the Channel, as per the law.

Any Directive issued by the BCCC to the IBF shall be binding and must be
implemented with immediate effect.

Which broadcasters are within the scope of the BCCC?

Broadcasters that are Members of the IBF are within the scope of the redressal
mechanism. However, any complaints received against non-IBF members, the same will
be forwarded to I & B Ministry for appropriate action.

Whom to Complaint - Broadcasters

Contact:

The Secretary
Broadcasting Content Complaints Council
C/o Indian Broadcasting Foundation,
B-304, Ansal Plaza, New Delhi 110047
Phone Nos. 011-43794444.
Fax No. 011-43794455
Email: bccc@ibfindia.com
Website: www.ibfindia.com